State Prison Historic District · Photo: McGhiever · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Bayport’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bayport gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #72 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 119 claims here since 1979.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about Bayport’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Bayport faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
Strong wind
Hail
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Bayport’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bayport, and Bayport’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 9%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #72 of 274 in Minnesota; lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bayport’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Minnesota town has lower expected damage than 57% of U.S. towns; within the state, Bayport has less expected damage per building than 74% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Bayport: $879K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bayport flood? Yes: 119 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bayport, from FEMA’s records: 101.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Severe flooding46 claims · $1.3M
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $2K
Bayport isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Washington County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bayport
Disasters that paid out in Bayport itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bayport), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$22K to the City of Bayport for repairs11 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$21K to the City of Bayport for repairs14 flood claims paid that year
- 2001Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$55K to the City of Bayport for repairs46 flood claims paid that year
Washington County has had 13 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Washington County, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Bayport after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bayport archive →Bayport and its neighbors
Bayport has the lowest expected damage per building of the 7 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bayport | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 119 |
| Baytown Township | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Oak Park Heights | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Hudson | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| North Hudson | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| St. Joseph | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | — |
| West Lakeland Township | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | — |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Bayport faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Bayport
Is Bayport at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bayport has lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #72 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bayport flood?
Flood insurance has paid 119 claims in Bayport since 1979, $2.3M in all, or 101.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 23 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Severe flooding (46).
Is Bayport in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Washington County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bayport?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bayport’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Bayport?
By FEMA money that reached Bayport, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2001): $55K to the City of Bayport for repairs. By flood claims, Severe flooding: 46 paid, $1.3M.
Is Bayport at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Bayport’s rate for it is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bayport.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bayport’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.